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Continue Cut or Bulk?

Advice on where to go with my current physique; all comments appreciated!

Andrewn0427
Andrewn0427 g Andrew Nell
1 Post(s)
1 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: May 5, 2019
Posted

I am currently 5' 9",160 lbs and still in the beginning phase of lifting. My programming is strength based and my long term goal is to get build strength while staying (relatively) lean; I'm not seeking 6-pack abs or anything, I just don't want to carry around an excessive amount of body fat. I let myself go during the holidays and decided to start a cut in January, when I was 178 lb. My original goal was to drop down to ~160lb, which I reached today. I've also lost a fair bit of muscle and strength during my cut. Looking at my physique, I would guess myself to be in the 13-15% BF range (images included below). I am trying to determine whether it would be better to cut for another 6 weeks and fairly lean out before starting my bulk, or to begin it today where I'm at. Adding to this debate is that for the 2nd and 3rd weeks of June I won't be able to train or get much in the way of proper diet and sleep. I can either keep cutting and start my bulk towards the end of June when I can resume training, or start bulking today, take a brief pause one month into my bulk and eat to just maintain, and then resume bulking in the end of June.

Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
7.1K Post(s)
7.1K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: August 8, 2008
Posted
Posted By: Andrewn0427

I am currently 5' 9",160 lbs and still in the beginning phase of lifting. My programming is strength based and my long term goal is to get build strength while staying (relatively) lean; I'm not seeking 6-pack abs or anything, I just don't want to carry around an excessive amount of body fat. I let myself go during the holidays and decided to start a cut in January, when I was 178 lb. My original goal was to drop down to ~160lb, which I reached today. I've also lost a fair bit of muscle and strength during my cut. Looking at my physique, I would guess myself to be in the 13-15% BF range (images included below). I am trying to determine whether it would be better to cut for another 6 weeks and fairly lean out before starting my bulk, or to begin it today where I'm at. Adding to this debate is that for the 2nd and 3rd weeks of June I won't be able to train or get much in the way of proper diet and sleep. I can either keep cutting and start my bulk towards the end of June when I can resume training, or start bulking today, take a brief pause one month into my bulk and eat to just maintain, and then resume bulking in the end of June.

@Andrewn047 I guess the question is, are you happy with how lean you are now? If you're happy with this level of leanness, then you can afford to start another lean mass phase if building strength is your main goal. If you would rather be sitting at a solid 10% - 12% bodyfat for leanness, then keep the cut going until June. You're probably going to be stronger at a slightly higher bf % if that's your goal.

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muscular strength
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